Bottle Redemption, More Budgets And A Large Law Enforcement Bill

As this session nears its end, there was a public hearing for a bill that would change Iowa’s bottle redemption system. There have been no changes to Iowa’s bottle and can redemption law since it was enacted in 1979. The Department of Health and Human Services’ $2 billion budget advanced from a Senate appropriations committee. It contains a controversial section that would require income and asset verification for Iowans to receive public assistance like food stamps. In the House of Representatives, a large omnibus bill with 18 divisions about law enforcement passed. It contains new penalties for participating in a disorderly protest.